Roma Eterna? Roman rule explains regional well-being divides in Germany
In light of persistent regional inequalities in adaptive outcomes such as health, well-being, and related personality traits, psychological research is increasingly adopting a historical perspective to understand the deeper roots of these patterns. In this study, we examine the role of ancient cultu...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Current Research in Ecological and Social Psychology |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666622725000012 |
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| author | Martin Obschonka Fabian Wahl Michael Fritsch Michael Wyrwich P. Jason Rentfrow Jeff Potter Samuel D. Gosling |
| author_facet | Martin Obschonka Fabian Wahl Michael Fritsch Michael Wyrwich P. Jason Rentfrow Jeff Potter Samuel D. Gosling |
| author_sort | Martin Obschonka |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In light of persistent regional inequalities in adaptive outcomes such as health, well-being, and related personality traits, psychological research is increasingly adopting a historical perspective to understand the deeper roots of these patterns. In this study, we examine the role of ancient cultures, specifically the impact of Roman civilization around two thousand years ago, on the macro-psychological character of German regions. We compare present-day regions that were advanced by Roman culture with those that remained outside of Roman influence. Even when accounting for more recent historical factors, we find that regions developed by Roman civilization show more adaptive personality patterns (Big Five) and better health and psychological well-being today. Results from a spatial regression discontinuity design indicate a significant effect of the Roman border on present-day regional variation in these outcomes. Additional analyses suggest that Roman investments in economic institutions (e.g., trade infrastructure such as Roman roads, markets, and mines) were crucial in creating this long-term effect. Together, these results demonstrate how ancient cultures can imprint a macro-psychological legacy that contributes to present-day regional inequalities. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-7f90899ba67643b894ecfe2a62fa7450 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2666-6227 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Current Research in Ecological and Social Psychology |
| spelling | doaj-art-7f90899ba67643b894ecfe2a62fa74502025-01-29T05:02:14ZengElsevierCurrent Research in Ecological and Social Psychology2666-62272025-01-018100214Roma Eterna? Roman rule explains regional well-being divides in GermanyMartin Obschonka0Fabian Wahl1Michael Fritsch2Michael Wyrwich3P. Jason Rentfrow4Jeff Potter5Samuel D. Gosling6University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Corresponding author.Vienna University of Economics and Business, AustriaUniversity of Jena, GermanyUniversity of Groningen, The NetherlandsUniversity of Cambridge, UK; Korea University, South KoreaAtof. Inc, Cambridge, MA, USAUniversity of Texas at Austin, USA; University of Melbourne, AustraliaIn light of persistent regional inequalities in adaptive outcomes such as health, well-being, and related personality traits, psychological research is increasingly adopting a historical perspective to understand the deeper roots of these patterns. In this study, we examine the role of ancient cultures, specifically the impact of Roman civilization around two thousand years ago, on the macro-psychological character of German regions. We compare present-day regions that were advanced by Roman culture with those that remained outside of Roman influence. Even when accounting for more recent historical factors, we find that regions developed by Roman civilization show more adaptive personality patterns (Big Five) and better health and psychological well-being today. Results from a spatial regression discontinuity design indicate a significant effect of the Roman border on present-day regional variation in these outcomes. Additional analyses suggest that Roman investments in economic institutions (e.g., trade infrastructure such as Roman roads, markets, and mines) were crucial in creating this long-term effect. Together, these results demonstrate how ancient cultures can imprint a macro-psychological legacy that contributes to present-day regional inequalities.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666622725000012CultureWell-beingBig five personality traitsHealthHistoryGeography |
| spellingShingle | Martin Obschonka Fabian Wahl Michael Fritsch Michael Wyrwich P. Jason Rentfrow Jeff Potter Samuel D. Gosling Roma Eterna? Roman rule explains regional well-being divides in Germany Current Research in Ecological and Social Psychology Culture Well-being Big five personality traits Health History Geography |
| title | Roma Eterna? Roman rule explains regional well-being divides in Germany |
| title_full | Roma Eterna? Roman rule explains regional well-being divides in Germany |
| title_fullStr | Roma Eterna? Roman rule explains regional well-being divides in Germany |
| title_full_unstemmed | Roma Eterna? Roman rule explains regional well-being divides in Germany |
| title_short | Roma Eterna? Roman rule explains regional well-being divides in Germany |
| title_sort | roma eterna roman rule explains regional well being divides in germany |
| topic | Culture Well-being Big five personality traits Health History Geography |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666622725000012 |
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